MPGe is the distance a car covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. Across 2 EPA ratings of the 3 since 2025 it has averaged 96 MPGe, and the 2026 model trails the 99.7 MPGe average of other electric cars rated 2024–2026. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $800.
Every Polestar 3 version, compared
The Polestar 3 was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 105 / 87.5 | 2025–2026 | $716 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Tesla Model X is rated 101.5 MPGe, the Honda Prologue 104 MPGe and the Audi e-tron 115 MPGe, next to 97 MPGe for the 2026 3. The 3 costs the most of them to run: $110 a year more than the Audi e-tron.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use (2026) | 34.7 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.059 |
| Charging per year | $708 |
| Charging over five years | $3,540 |
| Against other Electric cars, 2024–2026 | +$18 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $800 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Polestar 3 does better in town than out of it: 105 in the city against 89 on the highway, $118 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 105 MPGe | $655 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 89 MPGe | $773 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -16 MPGe (-15%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the 3 changed over the years
The 3 peaked in 2026 at 97 MPGe (105 city, 89 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2025 at 95 — 2 MPGe apart, or $16 a year in charging between buying one year and the other. The 2026 model gains 2 MPGe against 95 for the 2025.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 105 / 89 | 1 | $708 | |
| 2025 | 105 / 86 | 1 | $724 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 2 EPA ratings of the Polestar 3 — 1 engine across 2025–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $800. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 Polestar 3 rated at?
97 MPGe combined, 105 city and 89 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2025 the 3 has averaged 96 MPGe.
Is the 2026 3 more efficient than the 2025?
Yes: 97 against 95 MPGe combined, about $16 a year less to run.
Does the 3 get better efficiency than the Tesla Model X?
No: 97 MPGe for the 2026 3 against 101.5 for the 2026 Tesla Model X, about $31 a year more to run.
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